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Showing posts from August 28, 2015


Adi Lakshmi – Hindu Goddess Adilakshmi

In Hinduism, Adi Lakshmi is one of the manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi . She is the supreme mother goddess and therefore she is also known as Adi Shakti and she existed before everything else. She is beyond description and understanding. She is the womb that contains all life. Adi Lakshmi is an attempt by the human mind to give a form to the formless Brahman – the Supreme Being – in Hindu religion. The concept of Adi Lakshmi tries to solve the puzzle of creation. It is one among the numerous attempts made by ancient seers to get the concept of Brahman to common man through symbolism. Adi Lakshmi is the womb in which birth and death takes place but she remains above it. She is unfathomable and beyond imagination of human mind. There are numerous references to Adi Lakshmi in the Puranas. It is stated that the three gunas – sattva, rajas and tamas – emerged from her. Sattva (harmony) was represented as Goddess Saraswati, Rajas (Agitation) as Maha Lakshmi and Tamas (inertia

Goddess Kubjika

Goddess Kubjika is a manifestation of Mother Goddess Shakti. This aspect of Devi is closely related to the Tantric worship. An exclusive holy scripture dedicated to the Tantric worship of Goddess Kubjika is known as Kubjikamata Tantra. She is also known as Vakreshwari, Varika or Vakra. The cult of Kubjika is believed to have originated in the Himalayas . She is mainly worshipped in the Himalayan regions. Nine Natahas is believed to have propagated the cult of Kubjika throughout Nepal and North India . The cult was very popular during the 12the century AD. For worshippers of Kubjika, She is the Supreme Goddess. She is the brilliant divine light of consciousness that shines in the center of the brilliant radiance. She is the Great Mother present in all animate and inanimate. Kubjika literally means “humped-back.” Legend has it that Kubjika once decided on union with Pursusha. Purusha then appeared to Her and took hold of Her hand as a prelude to union but She, overcome wi

Bhadrakali Temple near Bhopalpatnam in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh

Bhadrakali Temple is located at Bhadrakali Village near Bhopalpatnam in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh attracts thousands of devotees from the states of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Telangana. The temple is located around 20 km from Bhopal Patnam. The shrine, dedicated to Goddess Kali, is on the confluence of the Indravati and Godavari River. It is believed that a Kakatiya King who was a worshipper of Goddess Kali consecrated the first murti here. The spot where the temple now stands was earlier a cave. The shrine was then forgotten for a long period as it was inside dense forest. The temple was later rediscovered and pujas and rituals began once again during the 19 th century. A new murti of Goddess Kali was established here. A huge fair and festival is organized during Vasant Panchami (January or February) here. Once in three years Agnikund is organized here – people walk through a bed of red-hot coal. 

Appa Maharaj Punyatithi at Donawadi near Chikkodi

Appa Maharaj Punyatithi is annually observed in Bhadrapad month. It is the death anniversary of Appa Maharaj a great saint who spread the teachings of love and humanity. The day is of great significance at Donawadi near Chikodi in Belgaum District, Karnataka. Appa Maharaj Punyatithi 2024 date is September 24. Hundreds of devotees participate in the puja and other rituals organized by devotees of the pious soul. The saintly person had spread the teaching of love and dharma among people. Appa Maharaj Punyatithi is observed on Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha Saptami Tithi or the seventh day during the waning phase of moon in Vaishakh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Karnataka.

Goddess Lakshmi and elephants – Symbolism of white elephants along with Mahalakshmi

Goddess Lakshmi is often depicted with two white elephants pouring water. This form of Goddess Lakshmi is known as Gajalakshmi. In some images four elephants are shown pouring water on Goddess Mahalakshmi. The four elephants are symbols of Kama (desire), Dharma (duty), Artha (wealth), Moksha (enlightenment). Goddess Lakshmi blesses the individual who finds the right balance of Dharma, desire, wealth and moksha. Gaja Lakshmi is also the Goddess of elephants – symbol of fertility. Another symbolism suggests that the water showered by the white elephants symbolize rain without which prosperity and wealth has no value. Another legend has it that two elephants welcomed Goddess Lakshmi by performing jal abhisheka (pouring water) when she was churned out of ocean during Samudra Manthan (churning of the milky ocean in Puranas). A popular belief in Hinduism is that there are eight pairs of elephants standing on eight corners of cosmos holding up the sky. These eight eleph

Lalita Sahasranama in Kannada in pdf – Lalitha Sahasranamam in Kannada – Text, Lyrics

Lalita Sahasranama is dedicated to the Mother Goddess and extols her glory in 1000 names. This particular Lalitha Sahasranamam text in Kannada in pdf format contains the lyrics in Kannada. The Lalitha Tripura Sundari form of Mother Goddess is worshipped through the Lalitha Sahasranama prayer. You read online or download it for free. Link  -  Lalitha Sahasranama lyrics in Kannada pdf

Eerattingal Village in Kerala Famous for the Parayipetta Panthirukulam – the Idea of a Casteless Hindu Society

Parayipetta Panthirukulam is a legend in Kerala which propagates the idea of a casteless Hindu society. As per the legend a Brahmin called Vararuchi married Panchami, a Dalit woman, and had 12 children with her. The children were brought up by families of different caste. Eerattingal Village is today home to 20 families who are descendents of Pakkanar, one of the children who was brought up by a backward Paraya family. The Hindu reports  Eerattingal has a temple dedicated to Pakkanar situated right in the middle of the village. It attracts both believers and people curious about the legend. “During his days, Pakkanar invoked many deities of immense power like Chathan, Odiyan and Bhadrakali. All such forces are still being invoked in the temple. Daily, devotees across the State reach here to perform rituals like Muttarakkal,” says Sreekandan Pakkanar, the main priest of the temple.  Many people believe the temple helps them remove obstacles in life fast. Modern intrusions w